Damien Hardwick isn’t surprised Richmond went into self-preservation mode in their round-23 dead rubber but says there’s no chance it will hold up in the AFL finals.

The Tigers saved one of their least convincing performances of the season for last, scraping through for a three-point win over the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.

Rookie Brad Lynch had the chance to secure an upset victory for the Bulldogs with less than a minute remaining on Saturday afternoon but his set shot from a tight angle hit the post and the Tigers prevailed 15.8 (98) to 14.11 (95).

The win extends Richmond’s record unbeaten run at the MCG to 21 games but there were few signs of the suffocating pressure that won them the flag last year.

With the minor premiership secured, Richmond played what could only be described as bruise-free football, laying just eight tackles in the first quarter.

Hardwick conceded his players had likely had September on their minds even if only on a subconscious level.

“I can sit there and make it as important as you want … and you sort of hope the players understand the importance,” Hardwick said.

“But the reality is it was a dead rubber and we probably played a little bit like that.

“That’s not being disrespectful to the Bulldogs, I thought they were by far the better side today … but we just weren’t to the level that we should be.

“If we play like that in a fortnight’s time, we’ll get beaten, no doubt.”

The Tigers also looked to be somewhat preoccupied with getting the ball to Jack Riewoldt, who booted five goals to firm his grip on a third Coleman Medal.

Hardwick said the Tigers had carefully managed skipper Trent Cotchin in his return from a hamstring injury but expected him at his “battering ram” best come the finals.